Pets are natural explorers. Unfortunately, their idea of “exploring” sometimes involves chasing, sniffing, or even pouncing on animals who mostly would prefer to be left alone.A baby bird on the ground, a squirrel darting across the yard, a sudden face-to-face with a coyote or a snake along a trail may seem like harmless encounters. But wildlife interactions can quickly turn into medical emergencies.

The good news? Knowing what to do — and when to seek emergency care at any VEG ER for Pets animal hospital — can help keep your pet safe after an unexpected run-in with wildlife.

What to do if your pet fights with a coyote

Coyotes are getting increasingly common in suburban and urban areas. While most of the time they avoid human and pet interaction, sometimes it’s unavoidable.

Why pets and coyotes might fight

Some of the most common reasons for the unfortunate face-off include:

• Small pets resemble natural prey

• Dogs chase or approach coyotes out of curiosity

• Pets are left unattended outdoors

• Coyotes are protecting pups during breeding season or hunting during mating season

• Larger dogs trigger their territorial behavior

Injuries and risk of disease after a coyote attack

Coyote attacks can cause severe trauma, including:

• Deep bite wounds

• Punctures that damage muscles or organs

• Broken bones

• Internal bleeding

• Serious infections from bacteria in bite wounds

• Potential rabies exposure

What to do during a coyote encounter:

• Try to scare the coyote away with loud sounds and by appearing big

• When safe, remove your pet from the area immediately

• Keep your pet calm and still

• Avoid touching your pet’s wounds with bare hands

• Once at a safe distance, call your local wildlife control if coyote is hurt

Go to a VEG emergency animal hospital Immediately If:

• Your pet interacted with a coyote; it's best for your pet to be checked by our vet

• Your pet was bitten 

• You see swelling or bleeding

• Your pet appears weak, in pain or disoriented

• Your pet is having trouble walking or breathing

  
  

Even small puncture wounds can hide serious internal injuries. Your pet may need:

• Rabies booster vaccine 

• Wound care 

• Antibiotics 

If your dog encounters a racoon or any wildlife, it's imperative to get them checked for signs of injury, foaming at the mouth, or infection. If your dog interacted with wildlife, VEG ER for Pets is open 24/7 to help!

What to do if your pet fights with a raccoon

Raccoons may look cute, but they don’t play nice when threatened. They can be aggressive, fast, and capable of causing serious injury to pets. These interactions often happen when raccoons are most active, during dusk or nighttime. 

Why pets and raccoons fight

• Pets stumble into a raccoon’s space (yards, garbage areas, or wooded spaces) 

• Dogs may chase or corner raccoons 

• Raccoons may be protecting food, territory, or babies

What to do if your pet fights a raccoon:

• Remove your pet from the area immediately 

• Avoid touching wounds with bare hands 

• Check thoroughly for bites and scratches 

• Keep your pet calm and restrict activity

• Go to your nearest VEG animal hospital; it's always best to have your pet examined after an interaction with a raccoon. Your pet may need a rabies booster.

  
  

Injuries and risk of disease after a raccoon encounter

Any aggressive interaction can be especially dangerous for your cat or dog, as raccoons can cause serious physical injuries and often carry diseases.

Your pet may be at risk for:

• Deep bite wounds and punctures that can trap bacteria under the skin 

• Scratches, often around the face and eyes 

• External injuries or internal trauma from a fight 

• Pain, swelling, and infection developing hours later 

• Rabies exposure through bites or saliva 

• Leptospirosis from contact with contaminated environments 

• Parasites, including roundworms 

Even small wounds can become severely infected or hide deeper damage.

When to go to VEG animal hospital:

• If there was contact with a raccoon, it is not a “wait and see” situation. 

• Your pet was bitten or scratched 

• You see puncture wounds or bleeding 

• Your pet seems painful, weak, or disoriented 

• There’s any concern for rabies exposure 

Remember, even if wounds look minor, your pet may need:

• Wound care 

• Antibiotics 

• Rabies booster vaccine or post-exposure care

What if your pet encounters a snake?

Dogs and cats often investigate snakes with their noses or paws. Most snakes only bite when they feel threatened. Rapid treatment is critical if a venomous snake bite occurs.

Signs of a snake bite in pets

Symptoms can develop quickly and may include:

• Sudden swelling of the face, leg, or paw

• Pain, whining, or limping

• Drooling or vomiting

• Weakness or lethargy

• Collapse in severe cases

What to do if your pet was bitten by a snake

If you suspect a snake bite:

• Act fast: Seek veterinary care, even if you suspect the snake was non-venomous 

• Move your pet away from the snake immediately

• Keep your pet’s heart rate as low as possible; keep them calm and limit movement

• Take a picture of the snake, if safe and possible or note its appearance 

• Remove collars and harnesses, as swelling can make them restrictive

• Keep the bitten area below the heart level, if possible

• Call ahead and let VEG emergency hospital know you’re on the way 

• Call your local animal control and inform them of the incident

Do NOT:

• Apply a tourniquet to your pet

• Cut the wound

• Attempt to suck out venom

These actions can make the situation worse.

Seek emergency veterinary care at VEG immediately if:

• Your pet encountered a snake

• You witnessed a snake bite

• You notice new puncture wounds

• Your pet develops swelling or severe pain

• Your pet becomes weak, disoriented, or collapses

Any snake bite should always be treated as an emergency. Contact VEG right away!

Symptoms in your dog like foaming at the mouth after a wildlife interaction need to be addressed ASAP. Your local VEG ER for Pets is open 24 hours to provide immediate care.

What if your pet interacts with mice?

Rodents are one of the most common wildlife encounters pets have — and one of the easiest to underestimate.

Why pets play with mice

• Dogs and cats have a strong prey instinct 

• Rodents are found in common spaces: yards, trash, and homes 

• Pets may see them as toys and chase, catch, or eat them quickly

What to do if your pet catches or eats a mouse or rat

• Remove any remaining rodent material safely 

• Prevent further access 

• Seek emergency veterinary care; a vet can induce vomiting if necessary 

Mice & rats: injuries & disease risks

Rodent encounters are often unexpected and quick. They can be dangerous to your cat or dog, especially if ingestion is involved.

Your pet may be at risk for:

• Bites or scratches that can become infected 

• Bacterial infections from contact with rodent saliva 

• Internal parasites from ingesting rodents 

• Leptospirosis from contact with rodent urine or contaminated areas 

• Toxin exposure if the rodent has ingested rat poison (secondary poisoning) 

• GI irritation/upset stomach from eating rodent tissue 

• Blockage and obstruction from swallowing the mice

Because rodents are often carriers of disease and toxins, even quick interactions can lead to complications.

Call or go to VEG animal hospital right away if:

• Your pet interacted with a mouse or rat

• Your pet ate the rodent 

• You suspect poison exposure 

• Your pet shows vomiting, lethargy, or neurological signs 

• There are bite wounds or swelling 

• Your pet develops any unusual symptoms 

Rodent-related exposures can escalate quickly — especially if toxins are involved.

What if your pet fights with a squirrel

Squirrels often trigger a dog’s chase instinct. While squirrels usually try to escape, a cornered squirrel may fight aggressively.

Pet injuries from a squirrel

Confrontation with squirrels can result in:

• Bite wounds

• Scratches to the face or nose

• Eye injuries

• Bacterial infections

• Zoonotic (transmissible to humans) disease transmission such as leptospirosis or tularemia

What to do if your pet catches a squirrel (or fights with one)

• Safely separate your pet from the animal

• Check your pet for injuries

• Pay close attention to the face, mouth, and paws

• Clean minor wounds if possible with warm water and dish soap on a cotton ball, or run warm water on minor wound and pat it dry before heading out for emergency vet care

• Call your local animal control and inform them of the incident

Contact VEG emergency hospital If:

• Your pet had contact with a squirrel (for rabies booster) 

• Bite wounds are deep

• Bleeding continues

• Your pet shows signs of pain or swelling

• Your pet becomes lethargic or develops a fever

Squirrel bites can introduce bacteria that cause serious infections.

What if your pet attacks a bird?

Baby birds falling out of nests, birds feeding on the ground, or injured birds may attract curious cats and dogs.

Risks of pets interacting with birds

Sheer curiosity may lead your cat or dog to pounce on birds.  As a result, your pet could experience:

• Scratches around the nose or face

• Eye injuries from defensive pecking

• Bacterial exposure

• Parasites carried by wild birds

• Avian flu, if your pet has bitten or ingested the bird

• Blockage and obstruction from swallowing bones and feathers

How to protect your pet after bird interaction

• Remove feathers or bird parts from your pet’s mouth, if safe

• Check your pet carefully for scratches or wounds

• Monitor your pet closely for the next 24–48 hours; your pet should be seen by an emergency vet after any interaction with a bird

• Call animal control and inform them of the incident

Seek emergency veterinary care at VEG if your pet has:

• Interacted with a bird; best to have your pet examined after any wildlife interaction

• Visible eye injuries or is squinting

• Scratching at their eyes or face

• Redness around the eyes

• Puncture wounds

• Swelling or bleeding

• Bitten or swallowed the bird

• Vomiting, lethargy, or unusual behavior

If your pet interacted with a bird, bring them to VEG ER for Pets animal hospitals, open 24/7. We'll perform a prompt exam for injuries.

What should I do if I find a baby bird?

Seeing a baby bird on the ground can be alarming, but many young birds spend time outside the nest while learning to fly.

Steps to take if you find a baby bird

• Do not touch the bird!

• Determine the type of baby bird; nestlings have little to no feathers and belong in a nest; fledglings have feathers and may hop on the ground while learning to fly.

• Look for the nest nearbyI f it’s a nestling and the nest is reachable, gently place the bird back in the nest.

• Leave fledglings where they are. Parent birds are usually nearby and continue feeding them.

• Keep pets away. Curious dogs and cats can accidentally injure the bird.

• Contact your local wildlife control and let them know you found a baby bird on the ground.

What if my pet interacts with a baby bird?

Dogs and cats may grab at a baby bird out of curiosity. Even brief contact can cause serious injuries to the bird—and occasionally to your pet.

What to do if your pet picks up or bites a baby bird

• Move your pet away from the bird immediately

• Secure your pet indoors or on a leash

• Check your pet for injuries

• Contact your local wildlife control to inform them about the situation

Risks to your pet after bird interaction

Even though birds are often the injured ones, pets may also experience:

• Pecks or scratches, especially around the eyes or nose

• Small bite wounds

• Exposure to bacteria or parasites carried by wild birds

• Digestive upset if feathers or bones are swallowed

Head to a VEG animal hospital if your pet has:

• Interacted with a bird

• Eye injuries or squinting

• Bleeding or puncture wounds

• Swelling around the face

• Vomiting

• Signs of pain or lethargy 

• Stressed or unusual behavior

Even minor wounds can become infected quickly.

Act fast: VEG animal hospitals are open 24/7 for your pet emergencies

Wildlife encounters can turn into pet emergencies quickly. VEG animal hospitals are open 24/7. Do not bring the wildlife to VEG, call your local wildlife control agency. But your pet is welcome day or night at VEG! Call or walk in: no appointments taken.

If your pet has had a close encounter with wildlife, keep an eye on them for signs of injury or illness and bring them into your nearest VEG. It’s always best to play it safe and have your pet evaluated and treated by one of our emergency vets, who are experts at expecting the unexpected!